The entire core family—Leonidas, Anna, Zeno, Markus, Carmilla, Angeline, Jiren, and John—stood in a massive, ancient chamber carved deep beneath the castle, facing the swirling, unstable shimmer of the Portal to Earth. The air crackled with raw, untamed energy, emphasizing the finality of the moment.
Standing nearest the shimmering blue circle of the portal, John wrapped his arms around his mother, Angeline, in a long, tight hug. The tears he had been holding back since yesterday finally streamed freely down his cheeks.
"Mom, do you really have to go?" he choked out, his voice thick with the grief of being left behind in a world he barely understood.
Angeline squeezed him fiercely, her own resolve wavering. She wanted nothing more than to stay and protect him, but Jiren, sensing her weakness, stepped in, his voice firm but warm.
"Yes, son, we need to go and give you space to grow," Jiren said, gently pulling John away so he could look him in the eye. "On Earth, there is not enough spirit force to help you develop your Hybrid powers properly, but here, there is an abundance. This is the only way for you to gain control and become safe. We will come visit you as soon as the portal device recharges to see your progress in the future. Also, remember, son: do not tell anyone that you are a Hybrid."
John took a shaking breath, wiping the tears from his cheeks with the back of his hand, and replied, his voice steadier, "Yes, Dad."
Angeline reached out and clasped a smooth, cool object into his hand: a simple, silver band. "What's this, Mom?"
"This is a Storage Ring," Angeline explained softly. "You can safely store non-living items in here, but it only has a limited amount of space. I've placed clothes, food, water, and other essential items that I believe you will need for your training and future trials. Don't worry about accessing it; your new blood will show you how to draw things out with a thought."
Jiren, standing slightly behind them, placed a heavy hand on John's shoulder. "Son, your father has nothing material to give you right now. I left everything I own on Earth, but I promise that I will give you something good in the future, something you can truly use. Please look after yourself, train hard with your uncle Zeno, and try to enjoy yourself. Even though there are a lot of dangers in this world, there are also a lot of good things. It's up to you to find them."
Jiren's words were a rare, philosophical insight that John understood immediately. He nodded sharply. "Yes, Father. I will try to train hard and become the most powerful... terminator machine animal."
Jiren chuckled lightly, a deep, quiet sound that momentarily broke the tension in the room. He pulled John in for one final, tight hug, a primal embrace that only a father—and an Alpha werewolf—would understand.
Angeline then turned, her expression already shifting from tearful mother to dutiful daughter of the Crimson Clan. She walked to her two brothers, Zeno and Markus.
"Mark, Zeno…" she began, her voice a plea disguised as a request.
Zeno, recognizing the gravity of her trust, stepped forward. "Don't worry, sister. You can count on us. We will ensure the child grows strong."
Angeline gave both her brothers a deep, sincere hug, recognizing that her son's safety now depended entirely on them. "If you see the other two, tell them I said hi," she instructed.
Finally, Angeline went and gave her parents, Leonidas and Anna, a respectful hug, bidding them a stoic farewell. Leonidas was polite but distant, while Anna offered a brief, warm press of her hand.
With nothing left to delay, Jiren and Angeline stepped together into the shimmering blue light of the portal. The two forms were instantly digitized and vanished. After a few agonizing minutes of humming energy, the portal closed with a soft thump and the room fell into an oppressive silence, thick with the unsaid thoughts of the remaining Clan members.
John watched the empty space where his parents had stood, the finality of their departure washing over him. He took a deep, steadying breath, determined to uphold the promises he made. He walked up to his uncle Zeno, already showing a new respect for his soon-to-be teacher.
"Uncle Zeno, can you please show me where my room is? I want to be alone."
Zeno nodded, recognizing the boy needed space. He reached out and touched John's shoulder, a surprisingly gentle gesture from the powerful warrior. "Sure, kid. I will have one of the maids guide you to your room."
A young woman immediately stepped forward from the line of staff members near the entrance. She was a short girl with modest brown hair and a slightly tan skin tone, clearly not of the main Crimson bloodline.
John was led up to his quarters. The room was big, spacious, and luxuriously furnished, but felt cold and silent. The young woman stood at the door, her head slightly bowed.
"Young Master, please let this one know if Master ever needs anything. This one is at your service." Her voice was soft and heavily formal, reflecting the strict, ingrained protocol of the Clan staff.
"For sho, uhm, what's your name again, miss?" John asked, his casual tone jarring against her formal address.
"This one's name is Elena."
"Aight, Elena, I will holla at you when I need something," John said.
Just as Elena was about to close the door and retreat to her duty station, John spoke again, his voice dropping slightly. "Elena, when you are alone with me, you don't have to be so formal. I give you permission to act freely."
Elena paused, utterly shocked at what the young master had just said. No one of the Clan's bloodline had ever given staff permission to break protocol. The request was a total deviation from the established, centuries-old social order. She looked up and met his gaze, then slowly smiled and nodded her head, a sign of silent gratitude and agreement. "Yes, Young Master."
A few minutes later, in the busy atmosphere of the grand kitchen, another maid came up to Elena, wiping down a silver tray.
"Elena, you were just with the new young master. What is he like? He's the first one to arrive from the outside world in decades."
Elena looked at the maid, her smile lingering, a hint of genuine warmth in her eyes. "Young Master John… he is different."